Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while addressing the Shehbaz Sharif SCO summit in Tianjin, strongly condemned state-backed terrorism and urged member states to respect sovereignty, strengthen regional dialogue, and adopt a collective approach to counterterrorism.
Speaking at the 25th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday, the prime minister termed his participation in Tianjin an honour, calling the city a “bridge between civilisations and cultures” that reflects China’s foundational values.
PM Shehbaz, who arrived in Tianjin on Saturday for a six-day official visit, is also scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, according to the Foreign Office.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, the premier said the SCO embodies Islamabad’s determination to enhance connectivity and cooperation. Stressing the importance of treaties, he noted: “Uninterrupted access to due share of water, as per existing agreements, is vital to strengthening SCO’s objectives.”
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He made it clear that Pakistan believes in multilateralism, dialogue, and diplomacy, not unilateralism or confrontation. “For any nation, sovereignty and territorial integrity remain sacred,” he emphasized.
President of China H.E. Xi Jinping welcomes Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the 25th SCO Heads of States Council Meeting in Tianjin on 1 September 2025.#PakistanAtSCO #SCOSummit2025 #SCO2025 #PakChinaFriendship pic.twitter.com/Wg8notwqOk
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 1, 2025
PM Shehbaz also called for comprehensive dialogue to resolve longstanding disputes in South Asia, underlining that stability in Afghanistan is crucial for the entire region.
The prime minister took a strong stance against terrorism, highlighting Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight. “We have lost over 90,000 lives, including children, mothers, engineers, scientists, citizens, and officers — not just for Pakistan, but for the peace and security of the whole region,” he said.
Calling out state-sponsored terrorism, PM Shehbaz asserted that “those who have long used terrorism to advance political interests must realize the world no longer accepts this false narrative.”
"Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the SCO Charter and its steadfast resolve to uphold the noble values of the Shanghai spirit. The SCO is a platform that best represents Pakistan's abiding commitment to regional cooperation and integration."
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 1, 2025
- Prime Minister… pic.twitter.com/XOuT1Lmv4L
He also revealed that Pakistan has concrete evidence of foreign involvement in recent terror incidents, including the Jaffer Express hostage crisis and attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
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The prime minister strongly condemned Israeli aggression in Gaza and against Iran, calling it “unjustified and unacceptable.” He reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the two-state solution in Palestine under UN resolutions.
On China’s role in global affairs, PM Shehbaz praised President Xi Jinping’s visionary leadership and said Beijing’s success reflects not just regional but international influence. He described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a flagship project of cooperation and regional development.
Before concluding his speech, he extended gratitude to President Xi and the Chinese government for their warm hospitality and excellent summit arrangements.
